Tyler Perry took to social media to express outrage over the murder of George Floyd and talk about actions he plans to take in order to stop police brutality. He wrote, “ I spent the past few days with an extremely heavy heart, having very high-level conversations with people who don’t look like me, people who may not believe what I believe, people who don’t know what it’s like to be black in America but were willing to listen…"
He continued, "white people who are Republicans and Democrats, with different opinions, different views, and different ideas and strategies on how to stop this! White people with the power to have this go either way. IT TAKES ALL OF US AS BLACK PEOPLE TO DO OUR PART!! Think about this, please. We’re only 12 to 14 percent of the US population. With a number like that, we need allies that don’t look like us. Allies who are not in the 12 to 14 percent but want to be in the number that help us.”
He added, “I must say that it’s a gift to be able to pick up the phone and actually talk to people who can help effect change. THERE IS POWER IN TALKING TO THE OTHER SIDE! THERE IS POWER IN BEING HEARD! That’s where change lives! Change lives in the galvanization of all races, not in the division of us. During the civil rights movement, we were not only marching, but there were those of us who were doing exactly what I’m saying here.”
BILL COSBY SPEAKS ON GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH
Another celebrity that spoke out about George Floyd's death on social media was Bill Cosby. Cosby said that the incident reminded him of the murder of his son, Ennis. He wrote, "When I think about George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black people murdered by Racial Hatred, I could not help but think about my son, Ennis, who was also brutally murdered. Before Racial Hatred shot our beloved Ennis in the head and abruptly ended his life, this raging inferno of Racial Hatred stated, “Die N——R ” before he pulled the trigger."
He continued, "These murders of innocent Black people will never end until the 'establishment' acknowledges that they are the architects of this Prison of Racism In America — they continue to teach racial hatred around their dinner tables; they continue to fuel racial hatred by portraying Black people negatively on television and movies; and they continue to enhance racial hatred by placing their knee on the necks of Black people, no matter their education, success or fame."
Cosby then talked about the protests, saying that they are "meaningful and powerful" when they are "peaceful."
He added, "Come On People! Let’s not squander a golden opportunity — officers – remove your tactical gear, remove your guns, put on the Full Armor of GOD and march with the people whom you have made your enemy."
George Floyd was killed by ex Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin on May 25th. According to ABC News, he will have three funeral services: one in Minneapolis, one in his hometown of Houston and in Raeford, North Carolina, where Floyd was born. The Minneapolis funeral will be held on June 4th at North Central University's Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary. Al Sharpton will give a national eulogy at the service.
The service in Raeford will take place on June 6th at Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters. The public viewing runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m and the celebration of Life in Houston is scheduled for June 8th at the Fountain of Praise. The family will also have private service.